Low-temperature carbonization apparatus



1934. c. E. LESHER 1,964,955

LOW TEMPERATURE CARBON I ZATI 0N APPARATU 5 Filed April 30.1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l I INVENTOR 15 j Can/Z M WWW July 3, 1934.

C. E. LESHER Filed April 30, 1930 LOW TEMPERATURE CARBONIZATION APPARATUS 2 Sheefs-Sheet 2 r; m w p r; .13 I 1 I l i x\\\\ NNNNNN OR Patented July 3, 1934 LOW-TEMPERATURE CARBONIZATION APPARATUS Carl E. Lesh'er, Pittsburgh, Pa. Application April 30, 1930, Serial No. 448,447

M, 4 Claims. (Cl. 202-413) V This invention relates to apparatus for carbon izing fuel such, for example, as coal, and particularly to apparatus for the low temperature carbonization of fuel.

'6' Low temperature carbonization differs from the ordinary high temperature coking operations in that the temperatures employed are substantially less and the product, viz., the carbonized fuel, is physically and chemically different from ordinary high temperature coke. These facts are well known and need not be enlarged upon except to note that they have a controlling effect on the type of apparatus employed for accomplishing the low temperature carbonization. l6 Illingworths Patent No. 1,645,861 of October 18,

1927, illustrates and describes apparatus for accomplishing low temperature carbonization of fuel and for conserving the gases evolved by such an operation. The present invention relates in -general to apparatus such an illustrated by the aforementioned patent and has for an object to produce relatively cheap and simple apparatus for accomplishing the low temperature carboni- ,,zation of fuel, but which is at the same time 23 durable and rugged, and highly effective in operation.

A further object of the invention is to produce a fuel carbonizing furnace in which simple, but at {the same time effective, means are employed for fill'transmitting heat to the fuel to be carbonized and in which simple and effective means are ern= ployed for removing the gases evolved from the fuel during the carbonizing operations. A still further object is to produce a relatively simple apparatus, similar in some respects to the apparatus disclosed by said Illingworth patent, wherein the fuel is agglomerated during the car bonizing operation and wherein certain portions vof the apparatus are easily removable in order 40 to adapt the structure for use in connection with fuels exhibiting various or different characteristics while subjected to carbonizing temperatures. 7 These, and other objects which will be made more apparent throughout the further description of my invention, are attained by means of apparatus embodying the features herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a partial front elevation and partial sectional elevation diagrammatically illustrating a furnace structure embodying my invention. I Fig. 2 is a sectional view along the line II-II v of Fig. 1. I 5 Fig. 3 is a more or less schematic View of the heating chambers and one manner in which the same may be linked together.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view through a heating chamber.

In these Views various portions of the apparatus are omitted for convenience of illustration and similar numerals refer to corresponding parts.

As illustrated, the carbonizing apparatus consists generally of a furnace or oven structure having its interior divided into heating chambers and carbonizing chambers. Each carbonizing chamber is located between two heating chambers and the arrangement is such as to provide an effective and uniform distribution of the heat to the fuel to be carbonized.

As illustrated, the furnace structure includes a refractory shell 3, the interior of which is divided into alternately arranged heating chambers 5 and carbonizing chambers 6. The arrangement is such that each carbonizing chamber is located between two heating chambers and all of the chambers, 5 and 6, extend from the top to the bottom of the refractory structure. The carbonizing chambers are, in effect, formed between transversely extending parts which extend from the top to the bottom and clear across the interior 'of the refractory structure and each carbonizing chamber is open at the top and bottom to provide for the delivery of material to be carbonized into thechamber and also to provide for the discharge of this material after the carbonizing operation. Both openings extend throughout substantially the entire extent of the chamber and the upper opening is provided with a removable cover '7. The lower opening is provided with a closure 8 in the form of a drop door which is hinged along one edge of the bottom opening and is provided with a latch mechanism of any suitable form for the purpose of holding it in closed position. The bottom closure is preferably so mounted and arranged that it will swing to an open position such that it does not obstruct or hamper the downward discharge of carbonized fuel from the carbonizing chamber.

In low temperature distillation of fuel it is necessary to employ relatively small retorts, as compared to the retorts employed in high tempe'rature carbonization. It is also essential so to arrange the apparatus that heat is so delivered to each retort that it will uniformly heat the mass of fuel within the retort so as to maintain a substantially uniform temperature throughout the entire mass.

Following the principle disclosed by the Illing- -the adjacent section or sections.

worth patent I sub-divide the interior of each carbonizing chamber 6 into a plurality of relatively narrow upwardly tapering retorts, which extend in substantially parallel relation form the bottom to a point adjacent the top of the carbonizing chamber and which are all in open communication at their upper ends so as to provide an easy and ready outlet for the gases evolved during the carbonizing operation.

As shown in the drawings, I employ a plurality of channel-shaped or other suitably shaped sections 9 for sub-dividing each chamber 6 into a plurality of narrow retort chambers 10. These sections of whatever shape are of a width substantially equal to the thickness of the heating chambers and they are formed of metal and have ample flanges and webs so as to insure such heat conducting capacity as will occasion a substantially uniform distribution of heat around each retort chamber 10. Each section 9 is separately formed and is somewhat less in length than the vertical height of the heating chamber. Each section may be so formed that the outer surfaces of the flanges extend at right angles to the web but the inner surfaces of the flanges are beveled so as to provide a relatively large mass of metal at the juncture between the flanges and the web. A withdrawal duct for gases is indicated at 11 and communicates with a hood 11' as shown in Figure 2.

An important feature of the structure illustrated is that the channel sections are more or less loosely located in the heating chambers so that each section supports, but does not confine Each section is, therefore, independent of other structures, is gravitationally supported at its bottom only and is substantially free to expand and grow in all directions, but at the same time is held against accidental displacement so that it is effective for the purpose intended.

In the drawings, each carbonizing chamber 6 is provided with a metallic base 12, shown as supported on the bottom of the furnace structure.

. This base forms a support for the heat transmitting members 9, which divide each chamber 6 into a plurality of relatively small retort chambers 10. The members 9 are supported at their lower ends on this base and extend vertically to substantially the top of the carbonizing chamber,

the arrangement being such that a plurality of such members are located in each chamber 6 and are arranged so as to subdivide the interior of the chamber into long narrow retorts, each of which is formed between the flanges and web of one member and the back of the next adjacent member. It will be apparent from Figure 2 of the drawings that the members 9, although free to expand in all directions, mutually support each other and thereby form a substantially rigid structure within each carbonizing chamber.

In Figure 2 I have shown the rearmost retort chamber as formed between the rearmost section 9 and a plate 14. This plate is preferably ribbed ,at 14 to prevent warping under the variations in temperature encountered and, like the sections 9, is loosely mounted on the base 12 being held in a vertical position by the assemblage of members 9. The important feature is to provide an arrangement of apparatus wherein the heat transmitting members are free to expand and contract and to grow so as to avoid warpage and buckling, of members or retort setting.

While the heating chambers 5 may be formed between permanent partitions 4 extending transversely across the furnace structure 3, I have shown these chambers so constructed as to further contribute to the free expansion and contraction of all the parts which are subjected to variations in temperature. As illustrated, each heating chamber 5 constitutes a rectangular box which is preferably constructed of refractory or heat resisting metal and which is of such size that it extends from the top to the bottom and from the front to the rear of the furnace strucure, in effect, forming a heating chamber within the structure which extends transversely across it and in parallel relation with the carbonizing chambers. The interior of each such heating chamber is subdivided by baffles 15 for controlling the fiow of heating gases traversing the chamber. These baffles also stiffen the structure, where, as shown, the heating chambers are formed by the metallic boxes illustrated and the arrangement of the baffles is such as to cause the gases to flow back and forth or from the front to the rear end of the chamber as they pass either upwardly or downwardly through the chamber.

It will, of course, be apparent that any suitable means may be employed for delivering heating gases to these various chambers 5 and for illustrative purposes only I have shown a gas or oil burner 1'7 projecting through the front wall of each chamber 5 at a point near the bottom or the top of the combustion chamber, openings 16 being provided in the refractory wall 3 for that purpose. In order to insure an upward fiow of gases I also provide an outlet port 16 in the rear wall of each chamber at a point near the top or the bottom of the chamber. Where the chambers are formed as shown in Figures 1 and 2 they are merely supported on the bottom of the furnace structure, but are, of course, properly spaced and properly located so as to provide for the carbonizing chambers between them. Where the heating chambers are formed by permanent partitions extending across the furnace structure the partitions are preferably formed of refractory metal.

The heat transmitting members 9 are somewhat more effective in transmitting heat from the heating chambers 5 to the material contained in the retorts when their flanges are in contact with or immediately adjacent to the lateral walls of the heating chambers 5. For this reason the members 9 are so designed that their width when hot will be substantially equal to the width of the carbonizing chamber, i. e., the distance between the lateral walls of the heating chambers. With such an arrangement the flanges of the members 9 are loosely engaged by the lateral walls of the heating chambers 5, and are of such width that the members 9 cannot be accidentally turned out of their proper position, with the result that while each of the assembled members 9 is free to expand and contract the assembly of these members is held in place with suflicient rigidity to provide an effective series of retorts. In other words, the dimensions of the retort sections 9 and the heating chambers 5 are thus so designed that there is an expansion space 6' provided so that no damage occurs to the structure when the several parts are under heat. As shown in Fig. 1, the sections 9 taper upwardly.

With the arrangement of apparatus illustrated it is apparent that each section 9 not only plays its part in subdividing the interior of the carbonizing chamber, but it also functions to transmit heat to the fuel contained within the narrow retorts. This is an important function of the sections and for that reason they are formed of metal and are of such dimensions as to contribute to the heat conducting function.

After the sections are in place in the heating chambers and the bottom doors 8 are closed, the retorts are filled with raw fuel. The covers 7 are then placed in the closed position and sealed if desired, and heat is applied by circulating hot gases through the heating chambers 5. After the carbonizing process is completed the doors 8 are dropped to a position in which the bottoms of the carbonized chambers are fully opened. This permits the carbonized fuel mass to drop or be removed from each retort through the opening at the bottom of the heating chamber and into such receptacles as may be provided for its reception.

It will be apparent that each section 9 is independently removable through the top opening of the carbonizing chamber and that where various grades of fuel are employed, various heat transmitting sections 9 may also be employed in the heating chamber. For example, in employing some fuels it may be desirable, because of the variations in the expansion of diiTerent fuels while carbonizing, to employ either wider or narrower retorts, and this can be readily accomplished by employing sections of different dimensions or shape for dividing the interior of the carbonizing chamber into retorts.

By employing a structure in which the separate sections are substantially free to expand and grow under the temperature variations to which they are subjected, there is little likelihood that the sections will distort, but if one or more sections do distort or burn out such may be readily removed and replaced through the top opening of the carbonizing chamber.

The circulatory system will be readily understood from Figur s 3 and 4 which illustrate an exemplary heating chamber and method of linking a number of the same. A blower 17' blows the fluid medium past or through a burner 1'7 thus heating or reheating said fluid which thereafter passes by suitable connections into one end of chamber 5, the top end of Fig. 4, then passes as indicated by the arrows of direction through the chamber, emerging at the opposite end whence it may be reheated as indicated or allowed to escape.

A number of such chambers may be linked as shown in Fi ure 3 wherein a blower 17 and burner 17 operates as above explained to pass hot gases through a plurality of chambers, the gases passing, according to said figure, up through the right hand chamber, from the top thereof to the top of the adjacent chamber, to the bottom of said chamber, then to the bottom of the next adjacent chamber and so forth via the connections 18 provided therefor. If necessary or desirable, one or more additional blowerburner arrangements may be interposed in the system at suitable points.

The number of chambers, blowers, and burners are variable to suit requirements and the size and spacing of the bafiies are likewise variable.

While I have described but one embodiment of my invention it will be apparent that various changes in details of construction may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as set forth by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for carbonizing fuel, comprising a furnace structure, heat-conducting partitions located therein and dividing the interior thereof into at least two heating chambers and an intermediate carbonizing chamber, said carbonizing chamber being open at its upper and lower ends and having a gas offtake communicating therewith, a plurality of individual channel-shaped heat transmitting metallic members assembled in a row in each such carbonizing chamber and in heat transmitting relation with two such partitions and dividing such chamber into a plurality of relatively narrow vertically extending retort chambers, each such member resting on a support at its lower end, whereby it is free to expand longitudinally in response to temperature changes, and means for closing the upper and lower ends of such chambers.

2. Apparatus for carbonizing fuel comprising a furnace structure, heat-conducting metallic partitions located in parallel relation in said structure and dividing the interior thereof into at least one carbonizing chamber and two heating chambers located on each side of such carbonizing chamber, removable covers for the top and bottom of such carbonizing chamber and a plurality of individual metallic channel sections of a width substantially equal to the distance between said partitions and mounted in a row in such carbonizing chamber with the lateral flanges thereof in heat transmitting relation with two such partitions, and dividing the interior of such chamber into a plurality of narrow retort chambers, each such section extending substantially vertically and being free to expand and contract in response to temperature changes, and being separately removable through the top of said chamber.

3. Apparatus for carbonizing fuel comprising a furnace structure, heat-conducting metallic partitions extending in parallel relation across said structure and dividing the interior thereof into at least two heating chambers and an intermediate carbonizing chamber, removable covers for the top and bottom of such carbonizing chamber, a row of metal channel sections located in such carbonizing chamber spaced from the top thereof, and dividing the interior thereof into a plurality of narrow retort chambers and providing a gas delivery space therein, each such section extending substantially vertically in said chamber, resting on a support at its lower end, and having its lateral flanges in heat transmitting relation with both metallic partitions bounding such chamber, and substantially horizontal bafiies located in each such heating chamber.

4. Apparatus for carbonizing fuel, comprising a furnace structure, heat-conducting metallic partitions extending in parallel relation entirely across such structure and dividing the interior thereof into alternately arranged heating and carbonizing chambers, metal bafiles located in said heating chambers between said partitions, a row of loosely assembled vertically extending metal channel sections located in each carbonizing chamber spaced from the top thereof and dividing the interior thereof into a plurality of narrow vertically extending retort chambers providing a gas delivery space located within said furnace structure above said retorts, each such section having its lateral flanges in heat transmitting relation with two such partitions, and being independently removable through the upper end of such chamber, and operable means for closing the upper and lower ends of each such carbonizing chamber.

CARL E. LESHER.

GERHU ATE )3 QQRRECTIQNY Patent Ne. 1,964,955. July 3, 1934;.

CARL E. LESHER.

it is hereby certified that error appears in the printed speeificatien at the above eumbered patent reqairing cerrection as ioliows: Page 2, time 4%, for "form" read freer; page 3, line 147, elaim 4, for "eperable" read eperrabe; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these COI'IECiiGiiS therein that the same may conform to the recerd' 0f the case in the Patent @iiiee.

Signed and seated this 7th day of August, A. D. 1934.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patefits. 

